Sounders FC release Colorado preview (w/ broadcast info)

A couple steps already down the comeback trail, the Seattle Sounders FC comes home with a chance to take a giant stride toward joining the MLS Cup Playoff chase against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday night. First kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.

That match also signals the start of another fixture-congested fortnight, with Sounders FC playing five times in 15 days. The CONCACAF Champions League play-in series opens at home on July 28 at 7 p.m. PT against El Salvador’s Metapan. Both games will be nationally televised on Fox Soccer Channel.

While the Colorado match marks the 26th consecutive sellout, good seats are still available for the Metapan match. For tickets to Sounders FC home matches, call 1-877-MLS-GOAL or visit www.SoundersFC.com.

Sounders FC (5-8-4, 19 points) gained ground in the playoff race last week by beating D.C. United, 1-0, on the road. The largest home crowd of the season, 45,631, saw Seattle drop a friendly, 2-1, to Scotland’s Celtic FC.

Although unbeaten in two MLS matches, the Sounders FC seeks its first home victory since June 5 as well as its initial win against a Western Conference opponent. All five of the team’s wins have come by shutout against clubs in the Eastern Conference.

The Rapids (6-4-5, 25 points) stand fourth in the West, but after a strong start they have gone five matches without a win, dating back to June 5. There have been four draws during that stretch, including a 1-1 result with Kansas City at home last week.

The series with Seattle was squared at 1-1-1 at Colorado on May 29. The Rapids’ Conor Casey scored the game’s only goal. Last season, Sounders FC got three goals from Nate Jaqua and two from Fredy Montero in winning 3-0 at home and drawing 2-2. Seattle also won an Open Cup play-in against Colorado, 1-0, at home in 2009.

Seattle returns to MLS play on July 31 at San Jose at 7 p.m. PT, then continues on to San Salvador for the return leg with Metapan on August 3.